Stories of Hope

Teen celebrates birthday with Virtual Food Drive

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Alex first learned about hunger in Central Florida when he volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Floridaโ€™s main warehouse in Orlando in middle school. Over the years, Alex and his friends have sorted through thousands of pounds of food donations. 

โ€œThe coordinators really do make volunteering fun!โ€ says Alex.

His favorite volunteer moments include:

  • A frozen turkey assembly line
  • Breaking down cardboard boxes
  • Preparing Hurricane Ian relief meals

Recently Alex added a digital component to his volunteerism by organizing a virtual food drive for his 17th birthday. A virtual food drive is a simple way to connect with friends, family, co-workers, or community connections online and work together to support hunger relief efforts in Central Florida. 

Instead of gifts, Alex asked his friends to donate to Second Harvest to help provide healthy, nutritious meals for local families. Every dollar donated to a virtual food drive can provide four meals to a neighbor experiencing hunger due to recent natural disasters or other financial challenges.

โ€œI know Iโ€™m so blessed and want to help others,โ€ explains Alex. โ€œIโ€™m humbled that a small action on my part can positively impact so many people.โ€

His efforts raised over $500 and will provide more than 2100 meals for kids, families, and seniors facing hunger. 

โ€œThank you for showing that our community stands together, no matter what we face,โ€ Alex says.

Virtual food drives are a simple, digital tool to fight hunger.

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